Machine Learning Used to Predict Where New Coronaviruses Might Develop Next February 17, 2021 A researcher for Brazil's state-run Fiocruz Institute takes an oral swab sample from a bat captured in the Atlantic Forest, at Pedra Branca state park, near Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) Share share The URL has been copied to your clipboard 0:00 0:06:28 0:00 Researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) methods in an effort to predict which animals might develop new kinds of coronaviruses that affect humans. Scientists believe the new coronavirus spreading around the world, which causes the disease COVID-19, likely started in bats. It then jumped to another animal before infecting humans.